23 December 2014

I enjoy working in the kitchen at the Open Door Mission! I am always amazed by the generosity of our community. The outstanding volunteer support and the yummy food donations are only the beginning! We watch first hand as God transforms the lives of those who seek a renewed HOPE and change. It's an honor to feed the multitudes but the great joy is knowing their souls are being fed and hearts are given new life.So thankful to be part of the serving heart of the Open Door Mission!

22 December 2014

There’s joy all
over the place here at the Open Door Mission. Christmas is right around the
corner, and we're celebrating the birth of our savior just like the angels did,
with great joy.Don't get me wrong.
There’s plenty of pain, too. Many of our guests come from broken homes and
traumatic backgrounds. Many have endured unimaginable circumstances. Many have
struggled with addictions, abuse and injustice.

But that’s where
friends like you come in with your compassion and generosity, with your
donations, volunteering and prayers. You are the hands and feet of Jesus,
bringing joy into the lives of our guests and into the lives of the staff.Many of the clients
we serve have great Christmas memories from childhood, but in more recent years
they haven’t had much reason to celebrate. Being in a homeless shelter at
Christmas can be painful. On the other hand, many of our guests had difficult
childhoods with no happy Christmas memories and being in our shelter might be
the happiest Christmas they have ever had. We’re here to bring them all joy.

But none of this
joy would be possible without you and your generous support. Thank you so much
for being a source of joy at Christmas. Thanks for helping to provide hope for
the New Year ahead. We are blessed to be able to be here with these people, but
none of it would be possible without you. May God Bless each and every one of
you who make this possible.

19 December 2014

This is the season we celebrate the birth of a sweet little
boy baby…Jesus. The birth of a new baby always brings joy to the parents and
family. We as a Christian family rejoice at the birth of Jesus too. I have been
thinking about His mother Mary, a teenage girl suddenly a mother to the
Messiah, not a “normal” little baby. I have often wondered what Mary was
“pondering” in her heart those many years ago. She knew what the prophets had
foretold…her child would die a brutal death. She would love Him and watch Him
grow to manhood, yet He would still chose the path His Father God had for Him.

Then there is Joseph, being a father is hard, even without
the burden of knowing you are raising God’s son. God chose Joseph to be the
“father figure” and the “role model” of a Godly man in the formative years of
Jesus’ life. Being the parents to God’s son was an awesome gift, but knowing He
would die on the cross must have been heartbreaking.

So this Christmas celebrate with JOY the birth of the baby
Jesus….but don’t forget that He became the “perfect lamb”, battered, beaten,
ridiculed, and hung on a cross for our sins-because Christ chose to bring us
the JOY of eternal life. JOY to the world, the Savior has come…to love and
forgive-keep the Christmas JOY in your heart and life all the time…and share
with those who need the JOY most of all.

12 December 2014

December at the Open Door Mission is my favorite month. Some of my coworkers laugh at me when I say this because December at the Mission is known to be insanely busy and can sometimes begin to feel stressful. But I love it! Every year we take children and families all over the Metro to ice skate, meet Santa, look at the Christmas lights, Shop with a Cop, and much much more.

My favorite memory this year has already been picked. While at Shop with a Cop this year, an event where children are paired with a police officer and go Christmas shopping at Walmart, Santa arrived in an unusual fashion. Santa showed up in a helicopter. Imagine 50 windblown children so overcome that it looked like their heads might actually explode with excitement. I laughed so hard I almost choked on my breath mint.

This moment, and many others like it, would not be possible without the continued support of the Omaha Metro Community. To you I say thank you. May God bless you this Christmas season.

10 December 2014

We are
almost ready for Christmas. The campus
looks very festive and staff, volunteers, and guests are so excited about the
events and special plans that will take place over the next few weeks.
Yesterday, as I walked through the Lydia House, I heard some of the kiddos
talking about Christmas and singing Christmas songs and carols. There’s nothing
better than that!

As I
listened to them sing the chorus of Oh, Come All Ye Faithful, individual
stories and circumstances of guests that are staying with us, flashed thru my
mind.

O come, let us adore
Him

Lost jobs…lost homes… Separated from loved ones…

Devastating health issues…mental
illness…

O come, let us adore
Him

Thankful for shelter and food…new
friends…second chances…

New
faith…hopeful about the future…

O come, let us adore
Him.

Being
a part of the work at Open Door Mission is truly rewarding and
life-changing. It’s not too late to join
in the Christmas activities- sign up today! And no matter your circumstances, hum along..........

09 December 2014

I work at Open Door Mission because I get to spend
my days surrounded by those who love Christ.
I get to work with people who allow Christ to shine through them. Being in an environment that is Christ first,
has given me such a peace of mind in and out of work, and it has strengthened
my own walk with God. I don’t know of
any other “employer” that allows us to speak of God so freely, to openly pray
for ourselves, and for others. That
actually puts God before anything else.
It makes me smile when I hear someone say “We’ll pray about this, and
wait on God.” It is not always an easy
task, to be patient, but every blessing the Mission as has received is because
we waited on God. I cannot imagine any place better to work, any
place better to hear other’s testimonies.
I truly am blessed by Open Door Mission and by every single person that
works here.

08 December 2014

It was the middle of
the week. I just decided to take a second job for the holiday season. I was exhausted
from the hours, beginning to feel sorry for myself. That day, I was having a
conversation with one of our guests who is having difficulty finding a job.
This guest had recently accepted Christ and turned his life around a lot, but
his previous felony stamped on his record made it difficult for him to find a
job.

Later that day I was
talking to another guest. He also is struggling to find employment because he
is still in the process of gaining his citizenship. That is when God convicted
me. All day I had been feeling sorry for myself when there are people around me
who would love to have opportunities like mine. Not only has God blessed me with
this great job at Open Door Mission, where I get to serve others, but also a
seasonal job. Those jobs allow me to pay rent and meet almost any other need I
may have. I am so blessed

As we take time this
thanksgiving to remember what we are thankful for, what are some blessings that
we might overlook? I am thankful for all the volunteers, donors, guests, and
staff because together we see God change lives at Open Door Mission!

28 November 2014

I work at the Open Door Mission because I am a Christian and the Lord is King here. I enjoy the interaction with the staff and the interaction with the men who are allowing God to change their lives. I have my office in the Permanent Supportive Housing building which allows me to interact with the guests and their kids. Every morning the kids come into my office for a piece of candy and they all give me a big hug and tell me to have a Blessed Day. I am a witness with the success stories through the men that worked for me over the summer months especially those who worked in the garden and those who did the lawn care. I enjoyed working with one individual especially and his name is Gary. Gary and I have become friends and we talked daily. I have come to know Gary and his family and I respect him very much. Gary has turned his life completely around with the help of the mission. Gary tells me daily how lucky he is to have come as far as he has and he owes it all to God because without God he would not be here.

26 November 2014

Turkey- Have your turkey thawed a couple days before you plan to cook. Make a Brine. 1 gallon water, 8 oz. of brown sugar, 8 oz. kosher salt, 2 oz. pepper, 8 oz of fresh garlic rough chopped, 10 bay leaves, 4 oz. of fennel seeds. Mix well add turkey and let it soak for at least 24-36 hours. Then bake @ 300 degrees ( until internal temp of 165). A lower temp will take longer for turkey to cook but it will be that much more juicer.

Mashed potatoes- This is one of those items you can be as daring as you want! You can add some blue cheese and bacon right at the end, roast garlic off in oven with oil covering garlic completely until garlic is a brown color puree and then add to potatoes with milk/cream, salt/pepper, unsalted butter.

Stuffing- saute up some onion celery garlic and add some turkey (small pieces). Add that to your stuffing! Most turkeys come with the gizzards and heart and all that yummy package! cut those up into small small pieces and add that to the onion celery garlic instead of using turkey.

Veggies- Get fresh veggies and julienne them all up toss with garlic, oil, salt/pepper and bake in the oven on 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes until they are cooked to your liking. I prefer a little crunch in my veggies. Peppers, onion, fresh green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms. Try different veggies! Asparagus ?!

Cauliflower mashed potatoes. Cut up a couple heads of cauliflower and cook in 1 gallon of water with 1 cup vinegar. Cook until soft then heat up some cream/milk and puree cauliflower with milk/cream and salt/pepper. This is a great option for a low cal option.

24 November 2014

It was a joy for our Gallup Team to make 1000 sack lunches for the homeless and poor being served at Open Door Mission. :o)

All of the food and supplies were donated from Rotella, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Bag & Save, Sysco, McDonalds, Target, Hy-Vee and $100 donation from my church (East Side Christian Church).

I am praying that many people were blessed.

My husband and I have been serving the Open Door Mission through music – worship music during dinner and chapel service twice a month, and it was a JOY to be a part of helping make food for the homeless to help meet their physical needs, with my friends at Gallup.

21 November 2014

It goes without saying that as the holiday season arrives,
we are continually reminded of our many blessings.Whether it be a dinner catching up with
friends, or running around town checking names off our holiday gift list, we
are constantly reminded of the good fortune in our lives.

Unfortunately, this time of year is particularly difficult
for the homeless. This is our busiest time of year at the Open Door Mission, as
we provide refuge for men, women, and children who are hungry for help and
hope. It is particularly heartbreaking to witness this urgent need in a time
that for so many brings abundance and joy.

This is why I am excited to tell you about TAGG (Together A
Greater Good), a local company who launched a smartphone app that lets us help
the homeless any time – even in the middle of our holiday hustle and bustle!
TAGG has partnered with over 75 local charitably-minded business who have
agreed to donate 5% of your purchase to the Open Door Mission when you use the
app there. This means you can support the Open Door Mission as a part of your
everyday activities – with no additional cost to you.

How it works:

1)Download the free mobile app (Search for Together A Greater Good on the Google
Play or Apple Store)

2)Visit participating businesses (listed on the
app).Tap the TAGG My Purchase button on the app and enter the amount.Tell the server/cashier, pay as ususal, and
they will provide a card to scan to complete the TAGG.

3)Choose the Open Door Mission.The business will then donate 5% back to us!

As an extra bonus,
Husker Siding, Windows & Roofing has offered to match all donations made
through TAGGED purchases between now and the end of the year, only for the Open
Door Mission!

I can’t think of a better way to give thanks for my holiday
blessings than to share them real-time with those less fortunate. Please join
me in making TAGG an everyday part of your routine, this holiday season and
beyond.

20 November 2014

These wonderful volunteers peeled 80 lbs of potatoes
in 25 minutes. Who ever said peeling potatoes is no fun? They haven't come to
Open Door Mission and we enjoyed the company of these great people!!! Many hands make the work
load light! ”My command is this: Love
each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12

24 October 2014

As I was preparing to graduate with my Bachelor's Degree this past spring, I came across a job opening for a case manager at the Lydia House. I felt truly guided to apply, and have felt at home and at peace since I began at the Open Door Mission in April. It is an honor to work for an organization that I have admired for so many years, and it is a privilege to help families overcome obstacles, and rediscover their faith and hope. I know God has a plan for all of us, and I know his plan for me was to place me at the Open Door Mission, where I could make a difference in the lives of others. I am truly blessed and appreciative of the opportunities given to me daily to witness the miracles possible through Christ.

17 October 2014

We need to be sensitive and not just in a hurry to get our work done.
The greatest work we can do is be available to pray with one of our guests to
receive Jesus as their Savior and obtain assurance of their salvation.
There is joy in the camp tonight. Let us continue to pray for one another that
we may take those open doors to share our faith with our guests that we are
entrusted to serve at the Open Door Mission.

01 October 2014

We came across a young man
from Somali who was 30 years old and a Muslim. He was quite a
preacher. He said Muslim believers are just like us always helping
people. He told us he has been spared from death 4 times, in his 30
years, having been addicted to cocaine. I believe this young man
has a special gift of preaching and maybe one day could be preaching the
gospel. He is someone who has been on my mind and in my heart all
week. Please pray for him to know the one true God!!!

There was kids running about yelling "open door mission" and
offering to help us deliver lunches to the low income families in need. It's wonderful to be so popular among
the children!! One young boy was looking for Bethany, Beatrice, and
Erica (a few of the volunteer coordinators at Open Door Mission). His name was Sa la la. These young ladies made such an
impact on these refugees and they are missed in this community. I
promised him I would let the ladies know how much they are missed.Please
pray for us as we go out today that God would use us to love on His precious
children!!

The
sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that
sustains the weary. He weakens me morning by morning, weakens my ear to
listen like one being taught. Isaiah 50:4

29 September 2014

Hi, my name is John and I provide
mental health and recovery services at Open Door Mission. These services are
mainly therapy and recovery classes with men and women in our life changing
programs – the practical outworking of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is my fifteenth
year.

Helping people take action for
their lives can be frustrating, though when they do it is so fulfilling. Recently a man (whom I will call Brad) experienced
a stressor, and handled it in a different way than he would normally do. I teach the concept of “recognizing the
sequence of events that leads away from stable recovery.” Brad was able to be aware of his situation,
and was able to think through the event without reacting, but by taking things
step by step. The excitement in his
voice as he shared his victory was such a blessing.

It reminds me of James 1:2-4, where
the author reminds us that we can “Consider it joy as we are going through a
trial,” for whenever we remember to practice patience, God will turn that trial
into a faith experience, resulting in our maturity! Having a plan is essential as we walk by
faith.

God ‘s grace doesn’t work in a
vacuum. He allows trials so that when we are open to His grace, it will empower
our thinking, feeling, behaviors, and relating skills to respond rightly, as we
surrender to Christ’s presence, purposes & promises! Growth is not
automatic; it takes persistence. Please pray for the men and women in our
programs that they will apply the truths and skills presented in our classes
each day.

26 September 2014

God has laid it out to me lately. He has laid out His desire
for my character to be more conformed to Him specifically on 3 different fronts. I need to be more Patient,
consider HIS Perspective, and Pick people up (well it would be Encourage, but
it didn’t start with a “p”). It is easy to forget each of these key areas, not
only here at Open Door Mission, but in our daily lives.

Patience - We
demand progress and change to happen on our time table and in our design. We
don’t wait on God and follow His path; we smash our hands down and stomp our
feet and scream, “We want it now and our way!” God is the BEST at timing (I
can’t wait to hear more of His jokes) and just plain perfect at His planning. Whether
it is pushing people forward in their lives, finding “the one,” or getting that
perfect job, His timing is best. We need
to wait on it, not nag for it to be ours.

Perspective - I
need to consider the perspective of others. Not only people I am working with,
but God’s. People look at things differently and come from different pasts. The
more that I remember that, the better I can minister to people’s needs in a way that they will see Christ.

Picking people up
- Picking people up is our job as Christians. Satan tears them down, God will
convict people, and we are sent to pick them up and turn them to Him once
again. It is easy to be critical and talk about what needs to be improved. We
can zoom in on the progress needed and let the progress made be blurred. God
has reminded me to celebrate victories with people as often as possible. Dance
in the light, because the light itself
is what conquers the darkness, not our fight.

So be you working at Open Door Mission, or doing ministry at
your job… remember the 3 p’s (or the 2 p’s and an e)

24 September 2014

A determined women walked to our Timberlake Outreach Center today for her Lydia House application appointment. She walked all the way from Chubs which is a few blocks away in the rain and she is 8 months pregnant! I was just telling her that I would figure out a way to get her back home when Phil walked into my office. Phillip,Open Door Mission's shuttle driver.This was a tangible way to demonstrate that God knows her needs before she even asked.

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Volunteer Your Time

At the heart of Open Door Mission is its volunteers. You, your family, your co-workers or your church can help Omaha’s homeless. Working hand in hand, members of the community can give help and hope to Omaha’s hungry and homeless at Open Door Mission.

You can make 2018 brighter by volunteering, just 2 hours a month will change a life. Please consider this: